Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among domestic gas workers and staff of works department in Enugu, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Chinenye Doris Oluka,Esther Obidike,Antoninus Obinna Ezeukwu,Ogochukwu Kelechi Onyeso,Echezona Nelson Dominic Ekechukwu

doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03615-5

Abstract

BackgroundThe impact of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) permeates various occupations.ObjectiveTo compare WMSS and associated risk factors among domestic gas workers (DGWs) and staff of Works Department (SWD) in Enugu.MethodsOne-hundred adults (DGW = 50, SWD = 50) participated in this cross-sectional study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and a demographics questionnaire were used to assess the prevalence of WMSS and related risk factors. Data were analysed using independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and logistic regression at p < 0.05.ResultsThe DGWs (86%) had a significantly (χ2 = 24.45, p < 0.001) higher WMSS than the SWD (38%). Lower-back (54%) and shoulder (52%) were the most affected body parts among the DGWs in comparison to the hips/thighs (20%) among the SWD. Work-related factors such as daily work-duration (χ2 = 75.44, p < 0.001), lifting training (χ2 = 96.24, p < 0.001), and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) of facemask (χ2 = 100.0, p < 0.001) and gloves (χ2 = 96.09, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with general WMSS among the DGWs. However, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR = 1.29, p = 0.018), work duration > 8 h/day (OR = 0.001, p = 0.028), female gender (OR = 6.98–10.26, p < 0.05), sleep duration < 6 h/day (OR = 0.56–0.73, p < 0.05) and poor exercise behaviour (OR = 0.15, p = 0.013) were the identified independent risk factors of WMSS among DGWs, while DBP (OR = 0.99, p = 0.012) and female gender (OR = 6.47, p = 0.032) were the only identified independent risk factors for SWD.ConclusionWMSS is significantly higher among DGWs than the SWD. High DBP, female gender, working beyond 8 h per day, sleeping less than 6 h per day, and insufficient exercise increase the risks of WMSDs, especially among the DGWs. To mitigate the adverse effects of WMSDs, SWD and DGWs require break and leave periods, PPE and assistive devices, exercise, medical check-up, and workplace ergonomics.

Highlights

The impact of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) permeates various occupations
Demographic details of the domestic gas workers (DGWs) and staff of works department (SWD) The study involved 100 participants who were divided into two study groups (DGWs and SWD), each with equal number (50) of participants
Our findings showed that the average work duration and frequency of DGWs (10 h daily/6 days per week, i.e. 60 h) was almost twice the period (7 h daily/5 days per week, i.e. 35 h) reported by the SWD

Summary

Introduction

The impact of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) permeates various occupations. Greater than 9% of the global adult population suffers from physical disabilities caused by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This prevalence is higher among women and increases markedly with age, accounting for 2% of global economic disease burden [1]. Workrelated musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) are among the most significant occupational hazards in many industries [3]. The mechanically-induced WMSS is associated with poor working conditions among manual workers [5,6,7]. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms can be caused by cumulative task-related musculoskeletal trauma arising from manual handling activities [4, 8]

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Results

Conclusion